Communication exchanges and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a computer-implemented method that includes the following steps: administering, by a first specifically programmed computer system of a communications exchange, an electronic delivery of a first electronic distribution from a first sender to a first recipient, where the mediating includes: receiving from a first source of a plurality of sources, a first electronic distribution of the first sender, receiving from the first sender, a plurality of sender attributes of the first sender and a plurality of sender rules of the first sender that define how electronic distributions of the first sender to be delivered; receiving the plurality of recipient attributes of the first recipient and the plurality of recipient rules of the first recipient; matching the first electronic distribution of first sender to the first recipient; transmitting, the first electronic distribution of first sender to first channel of the first recipient.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 61/800,479, entitled “COMPUTER METHOD AND COMPUTER SYSTEM FORCOMMUNICATION EXCHANGE,” filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In some embodiments, the instant invention is related to communicationexchanges that allow to electronically mediate, route, and/or deliverelectronic information (e.g., discrete data (e.g., files), streamingdata, electronic messages, etc.) from one or more senders to one or morerecipients based on specifically programmed ruleengines/interfaces/communication protocols that define at least one of:relationships between senders and recipients, formats of the electronicinformation, sending rules, delivery rules, characteristics ofcommunication passageways/channels, and other suitable variables.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In some instances, the importance of electronic communication in allaspects of society is well known. Typically, the use of electroniccommunications has become woven into the way individuals communicate andotherwise provide information to each other. Typically, individualsutilize myriad electronic communication platforms and types ofelectronic information (e.g., discrete data (e.g., files), streamingdata, electronic messages, etc.) to communicate among themselves.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In some embodiments, the instant invention provides a specificallyprogrammed system for controlling that includes at least the followingcomponents: at least one specialized computer machine, including atleast: a non-transient memory having at least one region for storingparticular computer executable program code; and at least one processorfor executing the particular program code stored in the memory, wherethe particular program code is configured so that the at least onespecialize computer machine is configured to at least perform thefollowing operations:

In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for acomputer-implemented method that at least includes the following steps:administering, by a first specifically programmed computer system of acommunications exchange, an electronic delivery of at least one firstelectronic distribution from at least one first sender to at least onefirst recipient, by allowing: i) the at least one first sender to sendthe at least one first electronic distribution to the at least one firstrecipient, and ii) the at least one first recipient to set a pluralityof recipient attributes and a plurality of recipient rules to identify,for the at least one first sender, the communications exchange, or both,at least one of the following: 1) what electronic distributions the atleast one first recipient desires to receive, 2) where the at least onefirst recipient desires to receive electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient, and 3) how the at least one firstrecipient desires to receive the electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient; where the mediating, by the firstspecifically programmed computer system of the communications exchange,includes: receiving, by the first specifically programmed computersystem of a communications exchange, from at least one first source of aplurality of sources, at least one first electronic distribution of theat least one first sender, where the at least one first electronicdistribution is addressed to the at least one first recipient; where theat least one first source is a second computer-programmed electronicsystem that the at least one first sender utilizes; where the receivingof the at least one first electronic distribution is in accordance withat least one first electronic exchange protocol defined between thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange and the second computer-programmed electronic system of the atleast one first source; receiving, by the first specifically programmedcomputer system, from the at least one first sender, a plurality ofsender attributes of the at least one first sender and a plurality ofsender rules of the at least one first sender that define how electronicdistributions of the at least one first sender to be delivered;receiving, by the first specifically programmed computer system of thecommunications exchange, the plurality of recipient attributes of the atleast one first recipient and the plurality of recipient rules of the atleast one first recipient; matching, by the first specificallyprogrammed computer system of the communications exchange, the at leastone first electronic distribution of at least one first sender to the atleast one first recipient; transmitting, by the first specificallyprogrammed computer system of the communications exchange, the at leastone first electronic distribution of at least one first sender to atleast one first channel associated with the at least one firstrecipient; where the matching and transmitting are based at least inpart on: i) the plurality of sender attributes of the at least one firstsender, ii) the plurality of sender rules of the at least one firstsender, iii) the plurality of recipient attributes of the at least onefirst recipient, and iv) the plurality of recipient rules of the atleast one first recipient; where the first channel is a thirdcomputer-programmed electronic system that the at least one firstrecipient utilizes to receive the electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient; where the second computer-programmedelectronic system of the at least one first source and the thirdcomputer-programmed electronic system of the at least one first channelare independent from each other; and where the transmitting is inaccordance with at least one second electronic exchange protocol definedbetween the first specifically programmed computer system of thecommunications exchange and the third computer-programmed electronicsystem of the at least one channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one first electronic exchange protocolis based at least in part on: i) a plurality of source attributes of theat least one first source, ii) a plurality of source rules of the atleast one first source, iii) a plurality of exchange attributes of thecommunications exchange, and iv) a plurality of exchange rules of thecommunications exchange.

In some embodiments, the at least one second electronic exchangeprotocol is based at least in part on: i) a plurality of channelattributes of the at least one first channel, ii) a plurality of channelrules of the at least one first channel, iii) a plurality of exchangeattributes of the communications exchange, and iv) a plurality ofexchange rules of the communications exchange.

In some embodiments, the at least one first channel is selected from thegroup of: i) secure electronic messaging system, ii) a website, iii) adevice application, and iv) a digital mail system.

In some embodiments, the at least one first source is selected from thegroup of: i) secure electronic messaging system, ii) a website, iii) adevice application, and iv) a digital mail system.

In some embodiments, the at least one first recipient is selected fromthe group of: i) an individual, ii) a retail investor, iii) aninstitutional investor, and iv) an entity that is not a person.

In some embodiments, the plurality of recipient attributes are selectedfrom the group of: i) a piece of information to be used to verifyidentity of the at least first recipient, where the piece of informationincludes at least one of the following: 1) first, last and middle name,2) an organization name, 3) a physical address, 4) a date of birth, 5) agovernment identifier, 6) a telephone number, and 7) a bio-metricscredential, ii) an email address, and iii) an identity credential.

In some embodiments, the plurality of recipient rules are selected fromthe group of: i) at least one legal consent rule regarding obtaining alegal consent to deliver regulatory information, ii) at least one firstchannel rule set by sender, iii) at least one second channel ruleregarding document type, and iv) at least one third channel ruleregarding delivery time, where the plurality of recipient rules are setto be permanent or to be followed during or for a pre-determined timeperiod.

In some embodiments, the at least one first sender is selected from thegroup of: i) an individual, ii) an individual investor, iii) a financialorganization, and iv) an entity that is not a person.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sender attributes are selectedfrom the group of: i) a piece of information to be used to verifyidentity of the at least first recipient, where the piece of informationincludes at least one of the following: 1) first, last and middle name,2) an organization name, 3) a physical address, 4) a date of birth, 5) agovernment identifier, 6) a telephone number of the at least one firstrecipient, 7) a telephone number of the organization, and 8) abio-metrics credential, ii) identifying information of the at least onefirst sender to be displayed by the at least one first channel to the atleast one recipient, iii) at least one first sender identifier that isutilized to identify the at least one first sender to at least one of:the first specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, the at least one first source, the plural of the sources, theat least one first channel, the plurality of channels, and the at leastone first recipient.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sender rules is selected from thegroup of: i) at least one first sender rule identifying at least onechannel supported by the at least one sender, ii) at least one secondsender rule identifying at least one characteristic to be used toidentify the at least one channel supported by the at least one sender,iii) at least one fourth sender rule identifying a legal consentlanguage to be accepted by to the at least one first recipient, iv) atleast one fourth sender rule identifying how identity of the at leastone first recipient to be verified, and v) at least one fourth senderrule identifying how the plurality of recipient attributes of the atleast one first recipient to be validated.

In some embodiments, the at least one first electronic distribution ofthe at least one first sender is selected from the group of: i) at leastone advertising, ii) at least one catalogue, iii) at least one financialrecord statement, iv) at least one trade confirmation, v) at least oneregulatory communication, vi) a public company's proxy, votinginstruction form, or both, vii) a mutual fund's proxy, votinginstruction form, or both, viii) at least one initial public offeringprospectus, ix) at least one mutual fund prospectus, x) at least onelegal notice, xi) at least one corporate notice, xii) at least onegovernment non-regulatory communication, xiii) at least one certificate,xiv) at least one trading instruction, xv) at least one check, xvi) atleast one data element, xvii) at least one image, xviii) at least onevideo, xix) at least one audio recording, xx) at least one interactiveapplication, xxi) at least one letter or notice, xxii) at least onestandardized formatted message, xxiii) at least one non-standardformatted message whose formatted has been mutually agreed upon the atleast one first sender and the at least one first recipient); and xxiv)at least one link to at least one of: the at least one electronicdocument, the at least one data element, the at least one image, the atleast one video, the at least one audio recording, and the at least oneinteractive application.

In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of thefollowing: i) sharing, by the first specifically programmed computersystem of a communications exchange, the plurality of recipientattributes and the plurality of the recipients rules with the at leastone first sender, at least one other sender of the plurality of senders,or the plurality of senders, ii) applying, by the first specificallyprogrammed computer system of a communications exchange, the pluralityof recipient attributes and the plurality of the recipients rules todeliver the at least one first electronic distribution received from theat least one first sender, without prior sharing the plurality ofrecipient attributes and the plurality of the recipients rules with theat least one first sender and the at least one first source, and iii)applying, by the first specifically programmed computer system of acommunications exchange, the plurality of recipient attributes and theplurality of the recipients rules to deliver the at least one firstelectronic distribution received from the at least one first sender.

In some embodiments, the first specifically programmed computer systemof the communications exchange receives the plurality of recipientattributes and the plurality of recipient rules from at least one of thefollowing: i) the at least one first sender, at least one other senderof the plurality of senders, or the plurality of senders, and ii) the atleast one first channel, at least one other channel of the plurality ofchannels, or the plurality of channels.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sender attributes and theplurality of sender rules are set by at least one of the following: i)the at least one first sender, and ii) the at least one first source, atleast one other source of the plurality of sources, or the plurality ofsources.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: notifying, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, the at least one first sender that the delivery of the atleast one first electronic distribution has failed.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: identifying, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, at least one relationship between the at least one firstrecipient and the at least one first sender, the plurality of senders,or both, based at least in part on the plurality of recipient attributesset by the at least one first recipient.

In some embodiments, the identifying the at least one relationship isfurther based on historical information about at least one of: i) the atleast one first recipient, ii) the at least one first sender, and iii)the plurality of senders.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: converting, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, the at least one first electronic distribution from a firstformat of the at least one first source to a second format of the atleast one first channel.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: generating, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, for the at least one first sender, at lest one first report,identifying at least one of the following: i) delivery information aboutsuccessful delivery, failed delivery, or both, ii) viewing informationregarding whether has been viewed or not, and iii) usage informationregarding a utilization of the at least one first electronicdistribution within the at least one first channel, the plurality fchannels, or both.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: generating, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, at least one usage report for at least one of: i) the at leastone first source, ii) the at least one first sender, iii) the at leastone first recipient, and iv) the at least one first channel.

In some embodiments, the plurality of channel rules includes at leasttwo of the following: i) at least one first channel rule identifying atleast one source supported by the at least one first channel, ii) atleast one second channel rule identifying at least one sender supportedby the at least one first channel, iii) at least one third channel ruleidentifying at least one distribution type supported by the at least onefirst channel, iv) at least one fourth channel rule identifying at leastone distribution format supported by the at least one first channel, v)at least one fifth channel rule identifying at least one unassociatedattribute supported by the at least one first channel, and vi) at leastone sixth channel rule identifying at least one unassociated rulesupported by the at least one first channel.

In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a specificallyprogrammed communications exchange, including at least the followingcomponents: at least one first specialized computer machine, including:a non-transient memory having at least one region for storing particularcomputer executable program code; and at least one processor forexecuting the particular program code stored in the memory, where theparticular program code is configured so that the at least one firstspecialize computer machine is configured to at least perform thefollowing operations: administering an electronic delivery of at leastone first electronic distribution from at least one first sender to atleast one first recipient, by allowing: i) the at least one first senderto send the at least one first electronic distribution to the at leastone first recipient without knowing an electronic address associatedwith the at least one first recipient, and ii) the at least one firstrecipient to set a plurality of recipient attributes and a plurality ofrecipient rules to identify, for the at least one first sender, thecommunications exchange, or both, at least one of the following: 1) whatelectronic distributions the at least one first recipient desires toreceive, 2) where the at least one first recipient desires to receiveelectronic distributions addressed to the at least one first recipient,and 3) how the at least one first recipient desires to receive theelectronic distributions addressed to the at least one first recipient;where the mediating includes: receiving, from at least one first sourceof a plurality of sources, at least one first electronic distribution ofthe at least one first sender, where the at least one first electronicdistribution is addressed to the at least one first recipient; where theat least one first source is a second computer-programmed electronicsystem that the at least one first sender utilizes; where the receivingof the at least one first electronic distribution is in accordance withat least one first electronic exchange protocol defined between thecommunications exchange and the second computer-programmed electronicsystem of the at least one first source; receiving, from the at leastone first sender, a plurality of sender attributes of the at least onefirst sender and a plurality of sender rules of the at least one firstsender that define how electronic distributions of the at least onefirst sender to be delivered; receiving, the plurality of recipientattributes of the at least one first recipient and the plurality ofrecipient rules of the at least one first recipient; matching the atleast one first electronic distribution of at least one first sender tothe at least one first recipient; transmitting the at least one firstelectronic distribution of at least one first sender to at least onefirst channel associated with the at least one first recipient; wherethe matching and transmitting are based at least in part on: i) theplurality of sender attributes of the at least one first sender, ii) theplurality of sender rules of the at least one first sender, iii) theplurality of recipient attributes of the at least one first recipient,and iv) the plurality of recipient rules of the at least one firstrecipient; where the first channel is a third computer-programmedelectronic system that the at least one first recipient utilizes toreceive the electronic distributions addressed to the at least one firstrecipient; where the second computer-programmed electronic system of theat least one first source and the third computer-programmed electronicsystem of the at least one first channel are independent from eachother; and where the transmitting is in accordance with at least onesecond electronic exchange protocol defined between the firstspecifically programmed computer system of the communications exchangeand the third computer-programmed electronic system of the at least onechannel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention can be further explained with reference to theattached drawings, wherein like structures are referred to by likenumerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the present invention. Further, somefeatures may be exaggerated to show details of particular components.

FIGS. 1-4 are illustrative computer system architectures representativeof some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5-24 are flowcharts representative of some embodiments of thepresent invention.

In addition, any measurements, specifications and the like shown in thefigures are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, otherobjects and advantages of this invention can become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures. Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with thevarious embodiments of the invention which are intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, otherobjects and advantages of this invention can become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures. Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with thevarious embodiments of the invention which are intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Any alterations and furthermodifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and anyadditional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which can normally occur to one skilled in therelevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to beconsidered within the scope of the invention.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take themeanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The phrases “in one embodiment” and “in someembodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment(s), though it may. Furthermore, the phrases “in anotherembodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do notnecessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, asdescribed below, various embodiments of the invention may be readilycombined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or”operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive andallows for being based on additional factors not described, unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout thespecification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

It is understood that at least one aspect/functionality of variousembodiments described herein can be performed in real-time and/ordynamically. As used herein, the term “real-time” is directed to anevent/action can occur instantaneously or almost instantaneously in timewhen another event/action has occurred.

As used herein, the term “dynamic(ly)” is directed to an event/actionthat can occur without any human intervention. In some embodiments, thedynamic event/action may be in real-time, hourly, daily, weekly,monthly, etc.

In some embodiments, the terms “sender” and “senders,” as referencedherein, are directed to entity(ies), individual(s), and/or electronicdevice(s) that need to send electronic information (e.g., discrete data(e.g., files), streaming data, electronic messages, etc.) to one or morerecipients that may be known and/or unknown to the sender(s). In someembodiments, there are at least 10,000 senders. In some embodiments,there are at least 1,000 senders. In some embodiments, there are atleast 100,000 senders. In some embodiments, there are at least 1,000,000senders.

In some embodiments, the terms “recipient” and “recipients,” asreferenced herein, are directed to entity(ies), individual(s), and/orelectronic device(s) who receives the electronic information (e.g.,discrete data (e.g., files), streaming data, electronic messages, etc.)from the sender(s) that may be known and/or unknown to the recipient(s).In some embodiments, there are at least 10,000 recipients. In someembodiments, there are at least 1,000 recipients. In some embodiments,there are at least 100,000 recipients. In some embodiments, there are atleast 1,000,000 recipients.

For purposes of this description, the terms “sender(s)” and“recipient(s)” are used to describe various communication methodologiesof the instant invention and are not intended to uniquely designated aparticular individual and a particular entity as being only the senderor the recipient. Consequently, for purposes of this description, theparticular individual and the particular entity can be the sender andthe recipient based on the specific function(s) the particularindividual and the particular entity perform in accordance with thecommunication methodologies of the instant invention.

In some embodiments, the terms “source(s)” and “source system(s),” asreferenced herein, are directed to specifically programmedsystem(s)/platform(s) that at least transmit(s) the electronicinformation (e.g., discrete data (e.g., files), streaming data,electronic messages, etc.) on behalf of and/or from the sender(s). Insome embodiments, there are at least 10 sources. In some embodiments,there are at least between 2 and 100 sources. In some embodiments, thereare at least between 10 and 1,000 sources. In some embodiments, thereare at least 1,000 sources.

In some embodiments, the terms “channel(s)” and “channel system(s),” asreferenced herein, are directed to specifically programmedsystem(s)/platform(s) that at least receive the electronic information(e.g., discrete data (e.g., files), streaming data, electronic messages,etc.) on behalf of the recipient(s). In some embodiments, the channel(s)can also process the received electronic information to present suchelectronic information to the recipient(s), and/or their designees,base, at least in part, on one or more rules set by the recipient(s),and/or their designees, and/or determined, by the channel(s), for therecipient(s), and/or their designees. In some embodiments, there are atleast 10 channels. In some embodiments, there are at least between 2 and100 channels. In some embodiments, there are at least between 10 and1,000 channels. In some embodiments, there are at least 1,000 channels.

For purposes of this description, the terms “source(s),” “sourcesystem(s),” “channel(s)”, and “channel system(s)” are used to describevarious communication methodologies of the instant invention and are notintended to uniquely designated a particular entity and a particularprogrammed system as being only the source/source system or thechannel/channel system. Consequently, for purposes of this description,the particular entity and the particular programmed system can be thesource/source system and the channel/channel system based on thespecific functions(s) that the particular entity and the particularprogrammed system perform in accordance with the communicationmethodologies of the instant invention.

In some embodiments, the terms “rule” and “rules,” as referenced herein,are directed to relationships and/or interactions between senders,sources, recipients, and/or channels. In some embodiments, rules takethe form of one or more processing rules, one or more characteristics,and/or one or more attribute of an entity or system. For example,various aspects of the instant invention include channel rules that aredirected to rules concerning the channels. Also, various aspects of theinstant invention include source rules that are directed to rulesconcerning the sources. Also, various aspects of the instant inventioninclude sender rules that are directed to rules concerning the senders.In addition, various aspects of the instant invention include recipientrules that are directed to rules concerning the recipients.

In some embodiments, the specifically programmed system(s)/platform(s)of the instant invention incorporate at least 10 rules. In someembodiments, specifically programmed system(s)/platform(s) of theinstant invention incorporate at least 100 rules. In some embodiments,specifically programmed system(s)/platform(s) of the instant inventionincorporate at least 1000 rules. In some embodiments, specificallyprogrammed system(s)/platform(s) of the instant invention incorporate atleast 10,000 rules.

In some embodiments, the terms “recipient rule” and “recipient rules,”as referenced herein, are directed to rules that define/identifycharacteristics of set by the recipients about themselves and/or therecipients' rules in regards to channels, distribution types and/or thesenders.

In some embodiments, the terms “sender rule” and “sender rules,” asreferenced herein, are directed to rules that define/identify whichchannel rules the senders require to be supported and the recipientrules the senders are willing to support.

In some embodiments, the terms “recipient rule” and “recipient rules,”as referenced herein, are directed to rules that define/identifycharacteristics of set by the recipients about themselves and/or therecipients' rules in regards to channels, distribution types and/or thesenders.

In some embodiments, the terms “distribution” and “distributions,” asreferenced herein, are directed to a piece of information or data thatneeds to be electronically sent/transmitted. In some embodiments, thedistributions are characterized/classified based, at least in part, onone or more of the following distribution types, but are not limited to:communications, rules, data, transactional messages, and etc.

In some embodiments, the specifically programmed system(s)/platform(s)of the instant invention allow to minimize complexity and/or costsassociated with integrating new sources by senders.

In some embodiments, the specifically programmed system(s)/platform(s)of the instant invention form at least one electronic communicationexchange mediating network(s) of the senders, the recipients, thesources and the channels (the mediated exchange model). In someembodiments, an illustrative electronic communications exchange of theinstant invention is an integrated network of the senders, therecipients, the sources and the channels that allows for the delivery ofinformation based upon rules defined by the recipient(s) and supportedchannel(s) defined by the sender(s). In some embodiments, theillustrative electronic communications exchange of the instant invention(also referenced herein as “the exchange”) allows the senders to senddistributions to the recipients without having prior knowledge to whereto send the distribution to, and the recipients can set rules that alertthe senders and the exchange to information about themselves (therecipients), including, but is not limited to, where the recipientswould like to receive distributions, and the structure of thosedistributions.

In some embodiments, the exchange allows the senders to senddistributions to the recipients when the senders know an electronicaddress of a recipient and the exchange is specifically programmed inaccordance with the instant invention to determine that such address isno longer valid. In cases of invalid addresses, in some embodiments, theexchange can alert the senders and/or respective channels about theinvalid address and/or automatically identify the new address for theintended recipient and re-route the distribution accordingly.

For example, the exchange of the instant invention can be utilized forat least one of the following applications:

i) Use Case 1—Distribution of Mail to an individual/entity;

ii) Use Case 2—Standing Instructions on how to vote on corporateactions/issues; and

iii) Use Case 3—Distribution of Data to an institution (e.g., brokerage,institutional shareholder, etc.).

In some embodiments, the exchange of the instant invention ensures thatthe channels agree to the set of rules that the sender(s) has/haverequired.

In some embodiments, an illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention allows for the delivery of distributions based,at least in part, upon rules defined by the recipient(s) and/or thesender(s) and supported by the channel(s) and/or source(s).

In some embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention allows the senders to send distributions to therecipients without having a prior knowledge as to where to send thedistribution. In some embodiments, the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention allows the senders tosend distributions to the recipients without having a prior knowledge asto where to send the distribution and while ensuring compliance with therules set/defined by sources, channels, and/or the recipients.

In some embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention allows the recipients to select/define thechannels they prefer and/or set/select rules and/or attributes thatalert/inform the illustrative electronic communications exchange of theinstant invention to information/data about the recipients, including,but not limited to, what channels the recipients would like to receivethe distributions through.

In some embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention is content agnostic, meaning that headerinformation is defined/set ensuring that the information can bedelivered to intended recipients but the distributions can be of anyformat and/or structure. In some embodiments, the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention mediates thedistributions by ensuring that the rules, which are set/selected/definedby the recipients, channels, sources, and/or senders are being followed(e.g., enforced) and that all parties have agreed to set(s) ofobligations (e.g., contractual obligations) to adhere to the rules.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention, showingvarious type of on-way and/or two-way relationships between the senders(501), the sources (502), the channels (503), and/or the recipients(504) (e.g., one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many) that the anexemplary arrangement of the illustrative electronic communicationsexchange (505) can mediate. FIG. 5, for example, illustrates that, insome embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchange ofthe instant invention minimizes/reduces the complexity, by pushing thedistributions and allowing the existing/future channels to receive thedistributions for a host of the senders and/or the recipients.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention, showingvarious type of on-way and/or two-way relationships between the senders(601), the sources (602), the channels (603), and/or the recipients(604) (e.g., one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many) that the anexemplary arrangement of the illustrative electronic communicationsexchange (605) can mediate. FIG. 6, for example, illustrates that, insome embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchange ofthe instant invention minimizes/reduces the complexity, by pushing thedistributions and allowing the existing/future channels to receive thedistributions for a host of the senders and/or the recipients.

As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention can perform at leastone or more of the following primary exchange functions:

On Boarding;

Rules;

Discovery;

Delivery;

Insight;

Mediation; and

Identity.

In some embodiments, regarding the “On Boarding” function, each of thesenders, each of the sources, each of the recipients, and/or each of thechannels can have and/or have to meet one or more onboardingrequirements/conditions. In some embodiments, the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention captures therelevant information and ensures that parties are agreeing topredetermined set(s) of arrangements (e.g., legal contracts,highlighting the rules and/or obligations of being part of theillustrative electronic communications exchange of the instantinvention.)

In some embodiments, the “Rules” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention captures, applies, distributes and/or maintainsthe sender rules, the recipient rules, the source rules, and/or thechannel rules.

In some embodiments, the “Discovery” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention identifies relationships between the sendersand the recipients, enabling the flow of information. In someembodiments, the relationship(s) between the senders and the recipientsare/is not expressly defined/determined and the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention dynamicallydetermines/identifies those relationships instead.

In some embodiments, the “Delivery” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention delivers the distribution(s) from the sender(s)to the recipient(s) based, at least in part, upon defined (e.g.,defined/selected/set by the exchange, the sender(s), the source(s), therecipient(s), and/or channel(s)) rules, etc.

In some embodiments, the “Insight” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention allows the audit trail of activities and/or thereporting that can be developed.

In some embodiments, the “Mediation” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention ensures that the situationally appropriateapplication of rules defined by the senders and/or the recipients arebeing applied during interactions between the sources and the channels(e.g., matching rules of the senders and the recipients, and thendistributing the distributions accordingly).

In some embodiments, the “Identity” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention ensures that both the sources and the channelsare properly validating the identity of the senders and the recipientsto the agreed upon level of identity proofing.

In some embodiments, each source and channel performs one or more of thefollowing primary functions:

Publishing,

Storage,

Mediation,

Identity,

Present, and

Audit.

In some embodiments, the “Publishing” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which illustrative sources utilize application programminginterfaces (APIs) and/or batch interfaces to publish information to theillustrative electronic communications exchange of the instantinvention. In some embodiments, the physical integration between theillustrative source and the illustrative electronic communicationsexchange of the instant invention can occur on the backend, duringcomposition and/or via a printing system.

In some embodiments, the “Storage” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which illustrative sources can choose to point to one ormore storage repositories of the underlying information (e.g.,documents, messages, streaming content, etc.) and/or publish theinformation through the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention for storage within the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention and/or within anillustrative channel.

In some embodiments, the “Mediation” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which illustrative sources obtain permission(s) to publishthe sender content (e.g., information sent by the sender(s)) through theillustrative electronic communications exchange of the instantinvention. In some embodiments, the illustrative sources are responsiblefor any errors in the sender content that they are providing.

In some embodiments, the “Identity” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which illustrative channels ensure the validity of therecipients by performing necessary actions to validate the recipients'identity.

In some embodiments, the “Present” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which illustrative channels notify that newcommunication(s) have/has arrived and the interface by which therecipients are able to view/process the communication(s).

In some embodiments, the “Audit” functionality identifies numerousprocesses by which illustrative channels provide an interface foraccessing audit trail(s)/log(s) by the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention so as to allow thesender(s) a complete audit trail of the delivery of communication(s).

Examples of Illustrative Methodologies Utilized For the “On Boarding”

In some embodiments, regarding the “On Boarding” function, each of thesenders, each of the sources, each of the recipients, and/or each of thechannels can have and/or have to meet one or more onboardingrequirements/conditions. In some embodiments, the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention captures therelevant information and ensures that parties are agreeing topredetermined set(s) of arrangements (e.g., legal contracts,highlighting the rules and/or obligations of being part of theillustrative electronic communications exchange of the instantinvention.)

In some embodiments, the senders onboard to the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention via source system(s) tobe able to send their distributions to the recipients according to thesenders' distribution rules. In some embodiments, the senders can alsospecify, to the illustrative electronic communications exchange of theinstant inventions and/or their respective source(s), services which thesenders would like to participate in.

In some embodiments, the source systems onboard to the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention to providethe distributions it generates/transmits, on behalf of one or moresenders, to the illustrative electronic communications exchange of theinstant invention.

In some embodiments, the channel systems onboard to the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention toreceive/obtain the distributions, on behalf of the recipients, from thesenders via the illustrative electronic communications exchange of theinstant invention.

In some embodiments, the recipient onboard to the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention via thechannel(s) to receive distributions from senders according to therecipients' rules.

Illustrative Examples of the Senders' On-Boarding

In some embodiments, the senders onboard to the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention via the sourcesystem(s) to be able to send their distributions to the recipientsaccording to the senders' distribution rules. In some embodiments, thesenders also specify/select/define services that they will participatein to the illustrative electronic communications exchange of the instantinventions. In some embodiments, during the onboarding process, thesenders can perform at least one or more of the following activities, inone or more predetermined or non-predetermined order:

1) Agree to a Business Exchange Contract which can include, but notlimited to, legal terms of the illustrative electronic communicationsexchange of the instant invention, rules and obligations of each senderand of the illustrative electronic communications exchange of theinstant invention (also, referenced herein as “the exchange”);

2) Define which services to use from the exchange which can include, butis not limited to, one or more of the following: Rule exchange,Discovery, Delivery, and/or Insight;

3) Define distribution rules (e.g., sender rules) which can include oneor more conditions to be respected by the exchange and any channel inthe delivery of the distributions to recipient(s) such as, but is notlimited to, the rules needed from the recipient(s), how the recipient(s)are/is authenticated and/or identified, a level of security needed forthe delivery, a storage of any distribution, support for dualdistribution, etc.;

4) Define Sender's Identify which can include, but is not limited to,how particular sender(s) will be presented and identified to thechannel(s) and/or other sender(s) on the exchange (e.g., but not limitedto the sender's name, logo, contact information, and/or otherinformation that may help particular recipient(s) to identify/recall thesender);

5) Define Sender's Distribution Types which can include the distributiontypes (e.g., —mail (e.g., MIME), streaming media, XML objects, FIX(Financial Information eXchange) data, FAST (FIX Adapted for Streaming)data, etc.) that particular sender(s) will be providing to the exchanges(via the source systems);

6) Provide historical information which can include, but is not limitedto, previous distributions to the recipients, information about previousdistributions, information about previous recipients to enable servicesof the exchange; and

7) Designate one or more sources which can include, but is not limitedto, identifying the source system(s) that will be providing thedistributions for and/or from particular sender(s).

In some embodiments, particular source(s) could be the sender(s)themselves/itself. In some embodiments, the instant invention can assumethat relationship(s) exist(s) between the sender(s) and the source(s)separately from the particular sender's relationship with the exchange.

Illustrative Examples of the Sources' On-Boarding

In some embodiments, the sources onboard to the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention to provide thedistributions the sources produce (on behalf of one or more senders) tothe illustrative electronic communications exchange of the instantinvention. In some embodiments, during the onboarding process, thesources can perform at least one or more of the following activities, inone or more predetermined or non-predetermined order:

1) Agree to a Business Exchange Contract which can include, but is notlimited to, the legal terms of the exchange, including rules andobligations of the source system(s) and of the exchange (in someembodiments, the instant invention assumes that there is a relationshipbetween the senders and the source(s) separately from the relationshipbetween i) the source(s) and/or the senders and ii) with the exchange);

2) Define the header format of Distributions which can include, but isnot limited to, defining the data format for the header information ofthe distributions that will be sent via the exchange;

3) Define Security protocols which can include, but is not limited to,defining the security protocols for the transmission of data between thesource system(s) and the exchange, including (but is not limited to)authentication, identification, and/or encryption for both data andtransport mechanisms;

4) Establish connectivity to Exchange which can include, but is notlimited to, establishing technical connectivity between the sourcesystem(s) and the exchange; and

5) Provide historical information which can include, but is not limitedto, at the sender's or senders' request(s), provide the exchange withany historical information needed to enable exchange services that thesender(s) wish(es) to use.

Illustrative Examples of the Channels' On-Boarding

In some embodiments, the channels onboard to the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention to receive the content(on behalf of the Recipient(s)) from the senders via the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention. In someembodiments, during the onboarding process, the channels can perform atleast one or more of the following activities, in one or morepredetermined or non-predetermined order:

1) Agree to a Business Exchange Contract which can include, but is notlimited to, the legal terms of the exchange, including rules andobligations of the channel system(s) and of the exchange;

2) Define the header format of Distributions which can include, but isnot limited to, defining the data format for the header information ofthe distributions that will be sent via the exchange;

3) Define channel capabilities which can include, but is not limited to,various capabilities the channel(s) can support in the delivery of thedistributions to the recipient(s); such capability as, but is notlimited to, the rules collection, how the recipient(s) is/areauthenticated and/or identified, the level of security supported, thestorage of distribution and/or support for dual distribution;

4) Define Security protocols which can include, but is not limited to,defining the security protocols for the transmission of data between thechannel system(s) and the exchange, including (but is not limited to)authentication, identification, and/or encryption for both data andtransport mechanisms;

5) Establish connectivity to Exchange which can include, but is notlimited to, establishing technical connectivity between the sourcesystem(s) and the exchange; and

6) Add the sender(s) to channel(s) which can include, but is not limitedto, exposing the sender(s) identity(ies) to the channel(s).

Illustrative Examples of the Recipients' On-Boarding

In some embodiments, the recipients onboard to the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention via thechannel(s) to receive distributions according to the recipients' rules.In some embodiments, during the onboarding process, the recipients canperform at least one or more of the following activities, in one or morepredetermined or non-predetermined order:

1) Agree to a Business Exchange Contract which can include, but notlimited to, legal terms of the illustrative electronic communicationsexchange of the instant invention, rules and obligations of the channelsystem(s) and of the exchange (in some embodiments, the instantinvention assumes that there is a relationship between the recipientsand the channel(s) separately from the relationship between i) thechannel(s) and/or the recipients and ii) with the exchange);

2) Verify Identify which can include, but is not limited to, providinginformation to verify the recipient's identity (in some embodiments, theinstant invention assumes that the authentication has been establishedby the channel and the recipient); and

3) Establish rules which can include, but is not limited to,establishing rules for the receipt of distributions such as, but is notlimited to: i) general rule(s), applying to (a) all senders, (b) allchannels, and/or (c) all distribution types; ii) specific rule(s),applying to (a) a single sender, (b) a single channel and/or (c) asingle distribution type, or any combination of i)(a) to ii)(c).

FIG. 7 illustrates illustrative processes that, in some embodiments, theillustrative electronic communications exchange of the instant inventioncan utilize for capturing, applying, distributing, and/or maintainingthe sender attributes and/or rules, and/or the recipient attributesand/or rules in accordance with some embodiments of the instantinvention.

As FIG. 7 shows, in some embodiments, the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention can mediate capturing,applying, distributing, and/or maintaining rules among parties inaccordance with at least the following:

Senders:

the sender attributes and/or rules define/identify the rules by whichdistributions can be delivered, —for example, in some embodiments, thesender rules may include, but are not limited to, supported channel(s),enabled source(s), identity validation and consent (e.g., legal consent)requirement(s), timing of delivery, etc.; in some embodiments, thesender rules may be also set for a specific distribution type, across acategory of distribution types, or across all distribution types;

Sources:

the source systems integrate with the illustrative electroniccommunications exchange of the instant invention to capture the senderrules as well as defining the source system rules regarding the types ofdistributions enabled through the source system(s);

Exchange:

the illustrative electronic communications exchange of the instantinvention facilitates the capturing of the sender rules and/or therecipient rules through the source(s), channel(s) and/or administrativeinterface(s), ensuring that all rules are being followed during thedelivery process and distributing appropriate rule information to thesenders, the recipients, the sources and the channels;

Channels:

the channels integrate with the illustrative electronic communicationsexchange of the instant invention to capture the recipient rules and/orbroadcast, to the exchange, channel-specific rules defining at least oneof the type(s) of distributions that can be supported, delivery timingcapabilities, validation capabilities (e.g., identity verification),etc.; and

Recipients:

the recipient rules can define/identify/select at least one of: thechannel(s) that the recipients would like to use, the type ofcommunications/distributions that the recipients would like todistribute, validation information, etc.; in some embodiments, therecipients may set rules for at least one of: a distribution type, asingle sender, across an industry, and/or universally.

FIG. 8 illustrates illustrative processes associated with capturing,applying, displaying, distributing, and/or maintaining the recipientattributes and/or rules concerning the exchange's functionalities inaccordance with some embodiments of the instant invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates illustrative processes associated with capturing,applying, displaying, distributing, and/or maintaining the recipientattributes and/or rules concerning the sender(s) in accordance with someembodiments of the instant invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates illustrative processes associated with capturing,applying, displaying, distributing, and/or maintaining channel-dependentrecipient attributes and/or rules in accordance with some embodiments ofthe instant invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates illustrative processes associated with capturing,applying, displaying, distributing, and/or maintainingchannel-independent recipient attributes and/or rules in accordance withsome embodiments of the instant invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates illustrative processes associated with capturing,applying, displaying, distributing, and/or maintaining the channelspecific attributes and/or rules which define/identify/select thecapabilities of the channel(s), including, but is not limited to, thetypes of distributions supported.

FIG. 13 illustrates illustrative processes associated with capturing,applying, distributing, displaying, and/or maintaining the senderattributes and/or rules which define/identify/select the rules that thesenders would liked to be followed, including, but is not limited to,rules at least about one of what sources the senders are authorizing tosend distributions on their behalf, the specifics and/or attributes of achannel that the senders require to enable a particular channel fordelivery the distributions.

FIG. 14 illustrates illustrative processes associated with capturing,applying, displaying, distributing, and/or maintaining the sourcespecific attributes and/or rules which define/identify/select thecapabilities of the source(s), including, but is not limited to, thetypes of distributions supported on behalf of the senders.

Illustrative Examples of Universal Rules & Attributes

In some embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention allows the senders and the recipients at leastto set rules and to define the scope of those rules, such that through asingle action the recipients and the senders can define one or more rulethat will apply across a single sender/channel or any combination of thesenders and/or the channels. For example, in some embodiments, through aparticular channel, each recipient could set one or more rule(s) toreceive client statements (e.g., bank statements, account statements,trade confirmations, other personal information) and define that suchrecipient would like the rule(s) to apply across at least one of: adistribution type, across an account, across a single sender, across anindustry, across all senders available on the exchange, etc. In someembodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchange of theinstant invention allows to simplify the senders experience arounddefining rule(s).

Illustrative Examples of Consent Capture

Typically, within many industries capturing a rule from a recipient mustalso include the capturing of a legal consent for the sender to applythat rule. For example, within the brokerage industry after capturing arule to distribute communications electronically (e.g., accountstatements, trade confirmations, government mandated materials aboutinvestments, etc.), an investor must agree to terms and conditions tolegally receive that content through a digital channel. In someembodiments, within the exchange of the instant invention allows tocapture the consent by allowing the recipient to set rule(s) and thenreceive notification(s) that the recipient's consent is also requiredthrough a particular channel selected by such recipient.

For example, in some embodiments, if a recipient sets rule(s) to receivestatements, from any company that the recipient has one or morerelationship(s), through a particular channel, the exchange wouldinitiate an account discovery process to identify such relationship(s).In some embodiments, once such relationship(s) has/have been identified,if a consent is required, the exchange would deliver a message, throughthe channel, to the recipient, requesting the recipient to agree to theconsent language. Once the recipient agrees, such rule(s) would not beapplicable.

Illustrative Examples of Discovery of Relationships

In some embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention performs the discovery of relationships whichincludes, but is not limited to, processes to identify relationshipsbetween the senders and the recipients, enabling the flow ofinformation.

In some embodiments, the discovery can be done using, for example, atleast one of at least three following approaches, or any combination ofthese approaches:

i) Exchange-based discovery,

ii) Sender-based discovery, and

iii) Channel-based discovery.

In some embodiments, in all three cases (or in combinations of cases),the discovery can yield at least one of the following results:

i) suggestion(s) to particular recipient(s) to set rule(s) fordistributions from particular sender(s), and

ii) distribution(s) from such sender(s).

In some embodiments, the result of the discovery process depends, atleast in part, on the sender's distribution rules.

FIG. 15 illustrates exemplary processes for the exchange-based discoveryof relationship to identify relationships between the senders and therecipients, enabling the flow of information in accordance with someembodiments of the instant invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates exemplary processes for the sender-based discoveryof relationship to identify relationships between the senders and therecipients, enabling the flow of information in accordance with someembodiments of the instant invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates exemplary processes for the channel-based discoveryof relationship to identify relationships between the senders and therecipients, enabling the flow of information in accordance with someembodiments of the instant invention.

Illustrative Examples of Delivery of Distributions

In some embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention performs the delivery of distributions from thesender(s) to the recipient(s) based, at least in part, upon definedrules.

In some embodiments, the delivery of distributions can be done using atleast one of at least three of the following approaches, or anycombination of these approaches:

Exchange-based rules,

ii) Sender-based rules, and

iii) Channel-based rules.

In some embodiments, the above illustrative approaches are defined byvariations on at least three steps in the distribution process:

i) applying the sender's distribution rules,

ii) matching a sender's recipient's identification to a channel'srecipient's identification, and

applying the recipient's delivery rules.

FIG. 18 illustrates exemplary processes, utilizing the exchange-basedrules, for delivery of distributions from the sender(s) to therecipient(s) in accordance with some embodiments of the instantinvention.

FIG. 19 illustrates exemplary processes, utilizing the source-basedrules, for delivery of distributions from the sender(s) to therecipient(s) in accordance with some embodiments of the instantinvention.

FIG. 20 illustrates exemplary processes, utilizing the channel-basedrules, for delivery of distributions from the sender(s) to therecipient(s) in accordance with some embodiments of the instantinvention.

Illustrative Examples of Insight Functionality

In some embodiments, the illustrative electronic communications exchangeof the instant invention keeps an audit trail as the distributions flowthrough the exchange, such audit trail can include, but is not limitedto, updates to rules and attributes, and other changes that occurs withand/or caused by the recipients, the senders, the channels, theexchange, and/or the sources. In some embodiments, through theintegration with the channel(s), the exchange updates/matches/validatesthe exchange collected data. In some embodiments, the illustrativeelectronic communications exchange of the instant invention allows thesenders to gain insight into the delivery of their distributions. Forexample, the audit trail data and/or the audit trail data enriched withdata provided by various channels and/or sources can be used to provideat least one of the following, but is not limited to:

i) comprehensive audit trail of distributions, useful, for example, todemonstrate regulatory compliance and/or delivery;

ii) insight into how the recipients are, for example, using thecommunications they receive;

iii) allowing the senders to perform anonymous analysis, utilizingvarious analytical tools, to determine, for example, which components ofthe distribution are most interesting to the recipients; and

iv) determining how to integrate communications and/or combine contenteffectively for various classes of the recipients; and

v) performing other suitable reporting and/or analysis.

FIG. 21 illustrates exemplary audit trail activities and reportingcapabilities in accordance with some embodiments of the instantinvention.

Illustrative Examples of Rules Utilized by the Instant Invention

In some embodiments, the sender(s) set/select/define at least one ormore rules regarding at least the following categories associated withthe senders, but are not limited to:

Identifiers;

Identity Validation Level;

Rule capture;

Consent capture:

-   -   at least language;

Per Distribution types, at least one or more of the followingparameters:

-   -   Name    -   Delivery requirements (e.g., timeframe, etc.)    -   Valid Source(s); and

Legal language acceptance.

In some embodiments, the sender(s) set/select/define at least one ormore rules regarding at least the following categories associated withthe recipients, but are not limited to:

Validated Identity;

Capture rules, such as, but is not limited to:

-   -   Channel per distribution type; and

Consent.

In some embodiments, the sender(s) set/select/define at least one ormore rules regarding at least the following categories associated withthe sources, but are not limited to:

Validation of their identity;

Agreement to rules of the exchange; and

Agreement on Identifiers (e.g., header identifies to be used).

In some embodiments, the sender(s) set/select/define at least one ormore rules regarding at least the following categories associated withthe channels, but are not limited to:

Validation of the identity;

Agreement to the rules of the exchange;

Delivery rules they are willing to support; and

Pricing Model.

Illustrative Examples of Binding of Rules

In some embodiments, the late binding of rules ensures that recipientrules are being followed and that the channel designated for deliveryhas agreed to rules defined by the sender(s), such as, but is notlimited to, at least one of:

i) channel must agree to validating the identity of the recipient;

capturing the recipient's rules;

capturing a specific consent and/or common consent;

maintaining an audit trail; and

pricing of x amount or less than x amount

Illustrative Examples of Appling the Instant Invention: NewsstandApplication Channel

In some embodiments, the instant invention is utilized in the form of anapplication that would be made accessible to the end consumer throughthe newsstand or app stores that power the distribution of software todigital devices. In some embodiments, a newsstand application inaccordance with the instant invention can include components thatprovide one of or more of at least the following capabilities:

-   -   Identity Management—a component that verifies and ensures the        identity of the end user;    -   Rule Management—a component that captures delivery rules at the        consumer level vs.

the account level regarding the format(s) and/or channel(s) to use(e.g., the recipients to use the delivery rules to communicate withfirms that the recipients have relationships with);

-   -   Account Matching—a component that matches verified identities of        recipients and/or the sender(s) with their existing financial        services accounts;    -   Consent Management—a workflow component that captures        appropriate legal consents to enable the distribution of        communications digitally;    -   Notifications—a notification component that distributes        notifications containing meta data highlighting the availability        of a new communication to the end user through the Newsstand        application;    -   Document Retrieval—a retrieval component that retrieves the        underlying document(s)/communication(s) stored within        distributed and/or centralized data bases for purposes of        presentation within the Newsstand application; and    -   Presentation—a presentation component that presents the        underlying communication(s) within the Newsstand application.

In some embodiments, the newsstand application can reside on a consumerstablet device.

In some embodiments, the newsstand application includes programmableinterface(s) or web service based interfaces that a user can utilize inaccordance with principles of the instant invention.In some embodiments, consumer installs the application by selecting theapp through the devices app store or newsstand (FIG. 22, for example,shows various illustrative methodologies of accessing the Newsstandapp). In some embodiments, a device manufacturer can pre-install theapplication and makes it available through the newsstand or as astand-alone application. In some embodiments, the verification processof the instant invention can also be accomplished in one or more of thefollowing ways, but is not limited to:

-   -   1. once a user has accessed the application for the first time,        the user is asked to provide several pieces of information that        can be independently verified, and the verification process then        verifies the user's identity based on information provided; and    -   2. the user receives a separate communication through a regular        and/or electronic mail which provides an access code in the form        of a URL, QR Code, or other similarly suitable mechanism that        allows the user to both access the application and verify the        user's identity in one step.

FIG. 23 shows an illustrative flowchart of accessing the Newsstandapplication in accordance with some embodiments of the instantinvention.

FIG. 24 shows an illustrative flowchart of delivering distributionsutilizing the Newsstand application in accordance with some embodimentsof the instant invention.

Further Illustrative Examples of the Instant Invention

In some embodiments, the onboarding of a recipient through a particularchannel (e.g., being tied to identity) utilizes the identity mapping(e.g., recipient's identity mapped to sender's version(s) of therecipient identity).

In some embodiments, the rule exchange can involve, but is not limitedto, the identity authentication, followed by the setting of rules forthe recipient, scope of the rules, and distribution of the rules (e.g.,staying within the exchange).

In some embodiments, the instant invention involves the accountdiscovery which includes, but is not limited to, identifying potentialrelationships from historical distributions when a particular recipientis identified by the exchange based, at least in part, on identifyinginformation received from such recipient and/or from a third party aboutsuch recipient.

In some embodiments, the instant invention involves capturing aparticular recipient's consent, generally from rule(s) defined/selectedby such recipient, and/or a set of common rules.

In some embodiments, the distribution processing can involve, but is notlimited to, at least one of the following illustrative actions: thesending of a distribution, the applying of a rule, the delivery of thedistribution through the correct channel to the recipient, and theauditability.

In some embodiments, the instant invention is utilized for documentretrieval.

In some embodiments, the instant invention allows the insight and theauditability throughout the exchange.

In some embodiments, the instant invention utilizes at least onespecialized programming languages, such as XML and JSON, to deliver thedistributions through the exchange of the instant invention.

Further Illustrative Operating Environments

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which some embodiments of thepresent invention can operate. However, not all of these components maybe required to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangementand type of the components may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention. In some embodiment, the exchange of theinstant invention hosts/communicates with a large number of the sendersand the recipients (e.g., at least 1,000, at least 10,000; at least100,000; at least 1,000,000) and processes a large number of concurrenttransactions (e.g., at least 1,000; at least 10,000; at least 100,000;at least 1,000,000). In some embodiments, the illustrative exchange ofthe instant invention is based on a scalable computer and networkarchitecture that incorporates varies strategies for assessing the data,caching, searching, and database connection pooling. In someembodiments, an example of the scalable architecture is an architecturethat is capable of operating multiple servers.

In embodiments, members of the inventive computer system 102-104 (e.g.,the sources and the channels connected to the exchange) includevirtually any computing device capable of receiving and sending amessage over a network, such as network 105, to and from anothercomputing device, such as servers 106 and 107, each other, and the like.In embodiments, the set of such devices includes devices that typicallyconnect using a wired communications medium such as personal computers,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, and the like. In embodiments, the set of suchdevices also includes devices that typically connect using a wirelesscommunications medium such as cell phones, smart phones, pagers, walkietalkies, radio frequency (RF) devices, infrared (IR) devices, CBs,integrated devices combining one or more of the preceding devices, orvirtually any mobile device, and the like. Similarly, in embodiments,client devices 102-104 are any device that is capable of connectingusing a wired or wireless communication medium such as a PDA, POCKET PC,wearable computer, mobile computing device, cell phone, smartphones,tablets, and any other device that is equipped to communicate over awired and/or wireless communication medium.

In embodiments, each member device within member devices 102-104 mayinclude a browser application that is configured to receive and to sendweb pages, and the like. In embodiments, the browser application may beconfigured to receive and display graphics, text, multimedia, and thelike, employing virtually any web based language, including, but notlimited to Standard Generalized Markup Language (SMGL), such asHyperText Markup Language (HTML), a wireless application protocol (WAP),a Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), such as Wireless MarkupLanguage (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, and the like. In embodiments, theinvention is programmed in either Java or .Net.

In embodiments, member devices 102-104 may be further configured toreceive a message from the another computing device employing anothermechanism, including, but not limited to email, Short Message Service(SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM),internet relay chat (IRC), mIRC, Jabber, and the like.

In embodiments, network 105 may be configured to couple one computingdevice to another computing device to enable them to communicate. Inembodiments, network 105 may be enabled to employ any form of computerreadable media for communicating information from one electronic deviceto another. Also, in embodiments, network 105 may include a wirelessinterface, and/or a wired interface, such as the Internet, in additionto local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), directconnections, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) port, otherforms of computer-readable media, or any combination thereof. Inembodiments, on an interconnected set of LANs, including those based ondiffering architectures and protocols, a router may act as a linkbetween LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another.

Also, in some embodiments, communication links within LANs typicallyinclude twisted wire pair or coaxial cable, while communication linksbetween networks may utilize analog telephone lines, full or fractionaldedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T4, IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs),wireless links including satellite links, or other communications linksknown to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, in some embodiments,remote computers and other related electronic devices could be remotelyconnected to either LANs or WANs via a modem and temporary telephonelink. In essence, in some embodiments, network 105 includes anycommunication method by which information may travel between clientdevices 102-104, and servers 106 and 107.

FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of the computer and networkarchitecture that supports some embodiments of the inventive system. Insome embodiments, the member devices 202 a, 202 b thru 202 n shown(e.g., the sources and the channels connected with the exchange), eachcomprises a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory(RAM) 208 coupled to a processor 210 or FLASH memory. The processor 210may execute computer-executable program instructions stored in memory208. Such processors comprise a microprocessor, an ASIC, and statemachines. Such processors comprise, or may be in communication with,media, for example computer-readable media, which stores instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform thesteps described herein. Embodiments of computer-readable media mayinclude, but are not limited to, an electronic, optical, magnetic, orother storage or transmission device capable of providing a processor,such as the processor 210 of client 202 a, with computer-readableinstructions. Other examples of suitable media may include, but are notlimited to, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM,RAM, an ASIC, a configured processor, all optical media, all magnetictape or other magnetic media, or any other medium from which a computerprocessor can read instructions. Also, in some embodiments, of theinstant invention, various other forms of computer-readable media maytransmit or carry instructions to a computer, including a router,private or public network, or other transmission device or channel, bothwired and wireless. The instructions may comprise code from anycomputer-programming language, including, for example, C, C++, C#,Visual Basic, Java, Python, Perl, and JavaScript.

In some embodiments, member devices 202 a-n may also comprise a numberof external or internal devices such as a mouse, a CD-ROM, DVD, akeyboard, a display, or other input or output devices. Examples ofclient devices 202 a-n may be personal computers, digital assistants,personal digital assistants, cellular phones, mobile phones, smartphones, pagers, digital tablets, laptop computers, Internet appliances,and other processor-based devices. In general, a client device 202 a arebe any type of processor-based platform that is connected to a network206 and that interacts with one or more application programs. Clientdevices 202 a-n may operate on any operating system capable ofsupporting a browser or browser-enabled application, such as Microsoft™,Windows™, or Linux. The client devices 202 a-n shown may include, forexample, personal computers executing a browser application program suchas Microsoft Corporation's Internet Explorer™, Apple Computer, Inc.'sSafari™, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. Through the client devices 202 a-n,users 212 a-n communicate over the network 206 with each other and withother systems and devices coupled to the network 206. As shown in FIG.2, server devices 204 and 213 may be also coupled to the network 206.

For purposes of the instant description, the terms “cloud,” “Internetcloud,” “cloud computing,” “cloud architecture,” and similar termscorrespond to at least one of the following: (1) a large number ofcomputers connected through a real-time communication network (e.g.,Internet); (2) providing the ability to run a program or application onmany connected computers (e.g., physical machines, virtual machines(VMs)) at the same time; (3) network-based services, which appear to beprovided by real server hardware, and are in fact served up by virtualhardware (e.g., virtual servers), simulated by software running on oneor more real machines (e.g., allowing to be moved around and scaled up(or down) on the fly without affecting the end user). In someembodiments, the instant invention offers/manages the cloudcomputing/architecture as, but not limiting to: infrastructure a service(IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS).FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate schematics of exemplary implementations of thecloud computing/architecture.

In some embodiments, the term “mobile electronic device” may refer toany portable electronic device that may or may not be enabled withlocation tracking functionality. For example, a mobile electronic devicecan include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, tablet, PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA), Blackberry™, Pager, Smartphone, or any otherreasonable mobile electronic device. For ease, at times the abovevariations are not listed or are only partially listed, this is in noway meant to be a limitation.

In some embodiments, the terms “proximity detection,” “locating,”“location data,” “location information,” and “location tracking” as usedherein may refer to any form of location tracking technology or locatingmethod that can be used to provide a location of a mobile electronicdevice, such as, but not limited to, at least one of locationinformation manually input by a user, such as, but not limited toentering the city, town, municipality, zip code, area code, crossstreets, or by any other reasonable entry to determine a geographicalarea; Global Positions Systems (GPS); GPS accessed using Bluetooth™; GPSaccessed using any reasonable form of wireless and/or non-wirelesscommunication; WiFi™ server location data; Bluetooth™ based locationdata; triangulation such as, but not limited to, network basedtriangulation, WiFi™ server information based triangulation, Bluetooth™server information based triangulation; Cell Identification basedtriangulation, Enhanced Cell Identification based triangulation,Uplink-Time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) based triangulation, Time ofarrival (TOA) based triangulation, Angle of arrival (AOA) basedtriangulation; techniques and systems using a geographic coordinatesystem such as, but not limited to, longitudinal and latitudinal based,geodesic height based, cartesian coordinates based; Radio FrequencyIdentification such as, but not limited to, Long range RFID, Short rangeRFID; using any form of RFID tag such as, but not limited to active RFIDtags, passive RFID tags, battery assisted passive RFID tags; or anyother reasonable way to determine location. For ease, at times the abovevariations are not listed or are only partially listed, this is in noway meant to be a limitation.

In some embodiments, the instant invention can utilize near-fieldwireless communication (NFC) that can represent a short-range wirelesscommunications technology in which NFC-enabled devices are “swiped,”“bumped,” “tap” or otherwise moved in close proximity to communicate. Insome embodiments, NFC could include a set of short-range wirelesstechnologies, typically requiring a distance of 10 cm or less.

In some embodiments, NFC may operate at 13.56 MHz on ISO/IEC 18000-3 airinterface and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to 424 kbit/s. In someembodiments, NFC can involve an initiator and a target; the initiatoractively generates an RF field that can power a passive target. In someembodiments, this can enable NFC targets to take very simple formfactors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or cards that do not requirebatteries. In some embodiments, NFC peer-to-peer communication can beconducted when a plurality of NFC-enable devices are within closeproximity of each other.

In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for acomputer-implemented method that at least includes the following steps:administering, by a first specifically programmed computer system of acommunications exchange, an electronic delivery of at least one firstelectronic distribution from at least one first sender to at least onefirst recipient, by allowing: i) the at least one first sender to sendthe at least one first electronic distribution to the at least one firstrecipient, and ii) the at least one first recipient to set a pluralityof recipient attributes and a plurality of recipient rules to identify,for the at least one first sender, the communications exchange, or both,at least one of the following: 1) what electronic distributions the atleast one first recipient desires to receive, 2) where the at least onefirst recipient desires to receive electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient, and 3) how the at least one firstrecipient desires to receive the electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient; where the mediating, by the firstspecifically programmed computer system of the communications exchange,includes: receiving, by the first specifically programmed computersystem of a communications exchange, from at least one first source of aplurality of sources, at least one first electronic distribution of theat least one first sender, where the at least one first electronicdistribution is addressed to the at least one first recipient; where theat least one first source is a second computer-programmed electronicsystem that the at least one first sender utilizes; where the receivingof the at least one first electronic distribution is in accordance withat least one first electronic exchange protocol defined between thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange and the second computer-programmed electronic system of the atleast one first source; receiving, by the first specifically programmedcomputer system, from the at least one first sender, a plurality ofsender attributes of the at least one first sender and a plurality ofsender rules of the at least one first sender that define how electronicdistributions of the at least one first sender to be delivered;receiving, by the first specifically programmed computer system of thecommunications exchange, the plurality of recipient attributes of the atleast one first recipient and the plurality of recipient rules of the atleast one first recipient; matching, by the first specificallyprogrammed computer system of the communications exchange, the at leastone first electronic distribution of at least one first sender to the atleast one first recipient; transmitting, by the first specificallyprogrammed computer system of the communications exchange, the at leastone first electronic distribution of at least one first sender to atleast one first channel associated with the at least one firstrecipient; where the matching and transmitting are based at least inpart on: i) the plurality of sender attributes of the at least one firstsender, ii) the plurality of sender rules of the at least one firstsender, iii) the plurality of recipient attributes of the at least onefirst recipient, and iv) the plurality of recipient rules of the atleast one first recipient; where the first channel is a thirdcomputer-programmed electronic system that the at least one firstrecipient utilizes to receive the electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient; where the second computer-programmedelectronic system of the at least one first source and the thirdcomputer-programmed electronic system of the at least one first channelare independent from each other; and where the transmitting is inaccordance with at least one second electronic exchange protocol definedbetween the first specifically programmed computer system of thecommunications exchange and the third computer-programmed electronicsystem of the at least one channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one first electronic exchange protocolis based at least in part on: i) a plurality of source attributes of theat least one first source, ii) a plurality of source rules of the atleast one first source, iii) a plurality of exchange attributes of thecommunications exchange, and iv) a plurality of exchange rules of thecommunications exchange.

In some embodiments, the at least one second electronic exchangeprotocol is based at least in part on: i) a plurality of channelattributes of the at least one first channel, ii) a plurality of channelrules of the at least one first channel, iii) a plurality of exchangeattributes of the communications exchange, and iv) a plurality ofexchange rules of the communications exchange.

In some embodiments, the at least one first channel is selected from thegroup of: i) secure electronic messaging system, ii) a website, iii) adevice application, and iv) a digital mail system.

In some embodiments, the at least one first source is selected from thegroup of: i) secure electronic messaging system, ii) a website, iii) adevice application, and iv) a digital mail system.

In some embodiments, the at least one first recipient is selected fromthe group of: i) an individual, ii) a retail investor, iii) aninstitutional investor, and iv) an entity that is not a person.

In some embodiments, the plurality of recipient attributes are selectedfrom the group of: i) a piece of information to be used to verifyidentity of the at least first recipient, where the piece of informationincludes at least one of the following: 1) first, last and middle name,2) an organization name, 3) a physical address, 4) a date of birth, 5) agovernment identifier, 6) a telephone number, and 7) a bio-metricscredential, ii) an email address, and iii) an identity credential.

In some embodiments, the plurality of recipient rules are selected fromthe group of: i) at least one legal consent rule regarding obtaining alegal consent to deliver regulatory information, ii) at least one firstchannel rule set by sender, iii) at least one second channel ruleregarding document type, and iv) at least one third channel ruleregarding delivery time, where the plurality of recipient rules are setto be permanent or to be followed during or for a pre-determined timeperiod.

In some embodiments, the at least one first sender is selected from thegroup of: i) an individual, ii) an individual investor, iii) a financialorganization, and iv) an entity that is not a person.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sender attributes are selectedfrom the group of: i) a piece of information to be used to verifyidentity of the at least first recipient, where the piece of informationincludes at least one of the following: 1) first, last and middle name,2) an organization name, 3) a physical address, 4) a date of birth, 5) agovernment identifier, 6) a telephone number of the at least one firstrecipient, 7) a telephone number of the organization, and 8) abio-metrics credential, ii) identifying information of the at least onefirst sender to be displayed by the at least one first channel to the atleast one recipient, iii) at least one first sender identifier that isutilized to identify the at least one first sender to at least one of:the first specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, the at least one first source, the plural of the sources, theat least one first channel, the plurality of channels, and the at leastone first recipient.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sender rules is selected from thegroup of: i) at least one first sender rule identifying at least onechannel supported by the at least one sender, ii) at least one secondsender rule identifying at least one characteristic to be used toidentify the at least one channel supported by the at least one sender,iii) at least one fourth sender rule identifying a legal consentlanguage to be accepted by to the at least one first recipient, iv) atleast one fourth sender rule identifying how identity of the at leastone first recipient to be verified, and v) at least one fourth senderrule identifying how the plurality of recipient attributes of the atleast one first recipient to be validated.

In some embodiments, the at least one first electronic distribution ofthe at least one first sender is selected from the group of: i) at leastone advertising, ii) at least one catalogue, iii) at least one financialrecord statement, iv) at least one trade confirmation, v) at least oneregulatory communication, vi) a public company's proxy, votinginstruction form, or both, vii) a mutual fund's proxy, votinginstruction form, or both, viii) at least one initial public offeringprospectus, ix) at least one mutual fund prospectus, x) at least onelegal notice, xi) at least one corporate notice, xii) at least onegovernment non-regulatory communication, xiii) at least one certificate,xiv) at least one trading instruction, xv) at least one check, xvi) atleast one data element, xvii) at least one image, xviii) at least onevideo, xix) at least one audio recording, xx) at least one interactiveapplication, xxi) at least one letter or notice, xxii) at least onestandardized formatted message, xxiii) at least one non-standardformatted message whose formatted has been mutually agreed upon the atleast one first sender and the at least one first recipient); and xxiv)at least one link to at least one of: the at least one electronicdocument, the at least one data element, the at least one image, the atleast one video, the at least one audio recording, and the at least oneinteractive application.

In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of thefollowing: i) sharing, by the first specifically programmed computersystem of a communications exchange, the plurality of recipientattributes and the plurality of the recipients rules with the at leastone first sender, at least one other sender of the plurality of senders,or the plurality of senders, ii) applying, by the first specificallyprogrammed computer system of a communications exchange, the pluralityof recipient attributes and the plurality of the recipients rules todeliver the at least one first electronic distribution received from theat least one first sender, without prior sharing the plurality ofrecipient attributes and the plurality of the recipients rules with theat least one first sender and the at least one first source, and iii)applying, by the first specifically programmed computer system of acommunications exchange, the plurality of recipient attributes and theplurality of the recipients rules to deliver the at least one firstelectronic distribution received from the at least one first sender.

In some embodiments, the first specifically programmed computer systemof the communications exchange receives the plurality of recipientattributes and the plurality of recipient rules from at least one of thefollowing: i) the at least one first sender, at least one other senderof the plurality of senders, or the plurality of senders, and ii) the atleast one first channel, at least one other channel of the plurality ofchannels, or the plurality of channels.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sender attributes and theplurality of sender rules are set by at least one of the following: i)the at least one first sender, and ii) the at least one first source, atleast one other source of the plurality of sources, or the plurality ofsources.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: notifying, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, the at least one first sender that the delivery of the atleast one first electronic distribution has failed.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: identifying, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, at least one relationship between the at least one firstrecipient and the at least one first sender, the plurality of senders,or both, based at least in part on the plurality of recipient attributesset by the at least one first recipient.

In some embodiments, the identifying the at least one relationship isfurther based on historical information about at least one of: i) the atleast one first recipient, ii) the at least one first sender, and iii)the plurality of senders.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: converting, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, the at least one first electronic distribution from a firstformat of the at least one first source to a second format of the atleast one first channel.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: generating, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, for the at least one first sender, at least one first report,identifying at least one of the following: i) delivery information aboutsuccessful delivery, failed delivery, or both, ii) viewing informationregarding whether has been viewed or not, and iii) usage informationregarding a utilization of the at least one first electronicdistribution within the at least one first channel, the plurality fchannels, or both.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: generating, by thefirst specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, at least one usage report for at least one of: i) the at leastone first source, ii) the at least one first sender, iii) the at leastone first recipient, and iv) the at least one first channel.

In some embodiments, the plurality of channel rules includes at leasttwo of the following: i) at least one first channel rule identifying atleast one source supported by the at least one first channel, ii) atleast one second channel rule identifying at least one sender supportedby the at least one first channel, iii) at least one third channel ruleidentifying at least one distribution type supported by the at least onefirst channel, iv) at least one fourth channel rule identifying at leastone distribution format supported by the at least one first channel, v)at least one fifth channel rule identifying at least one unassociatedattribute supported by the at least one first channel, and vi) at leastone sixth channel rule identifying at least one unassociated rulesupported by the at least one first channel.

In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a specificallyprogrammed communications exchange, including at least the followingcomponents: at least one first specialized computer machine, including:a non-transient memory having at least one region for storing particularcomputer executable program code; and at least one processor forexecuting the particular program code stored in the memory, where theparticular program code is configured so that the at least one firstspecialize computer machine is configured to at least perform thefollowing operations: administering an electronic delivery of at leastone first electronic distribution from at least one first sender to atleast one first recipient, by allowing: i) the at least one first senderto send the at least one first electronic distribution to the at leastone first recipient without knowing an electronic address associatedwith the at least one first recipient, and ii) the at least one firstrecipient to set a plurality of recipient attributes and a plurality ofrecipient rules to identify, for the at least one first sender, thecommunications exchange, or both, at least one of the following: 1) whatelectronic distributions the at least one first recipient desires toreceive, 2) where the at least one first recipient desires to receiveelectronic distributions addressed to the at least one first recipient,and 3) how the at least one first recipient desires to receive theelectronic distributions addressed to the at least one first recipient;where the mediating includes: receiving, from at least one first sourceof a plurality of sources, at least one first electronic distribution ofthe at least one first sender, where the at least one first electronicdistribution is addressed to the at least one first recipient; where theat least one first source is a second computer-programmed electronicsystem that the at least one first sender utilizes; where the receivingof the at least one first electronic distribution is in accordance withat least one first electronic exchange protocol defined between thecommunications exchange and the second computer-programmed electronicsystem of the at least one first source; receiving, from the at leastone first sender, a plurality of sender attributes of the at least onefirst sender and a plurality of sender rules of the at least one firstsender that define how electronic distributions of the at least onefirst sender to be delivered; receiving, the plurality of recipientattributes of the at least one first recipient and the plurality ofrecipient rules of the at least one first recipient; matching the atleast one first electronic distribution of at least one first sender tothe at least one first recipient; transmitting the at least one firstelectronic distribution of at least one first sender to at least onefirst channel associated with the at least one first recipient; wherethe matching and transmitting are based at least in part on: i) theplurality of sender attributes of the at least one first sender, ii) theplurality of sender rules of the at least one first sender, iii) theplurality of recipient attributes of the at least one first recipient,and iv) the plurality of recipient rules of the at least one firstrecipient; where the first channel is a third computer-programmedelectronic system that the at least one first recipient utilizes toreceive the electronic distributions addressed to the at least one firstrecipient; where the second computer-programmed electronic system of theat least one first source and the third computer-programmed electronicsystem of the at least one first channel are independent from eachother; and where the transmitting is in accordance with at least onesecond electronic exchange protocol defined between the firstspecifically programmed computer system of the communications exchangeand the third computer-programmed electronic system of the at least onechannel.

While a number of embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrativeonly, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, any stepsdescribed herein may be carried out in any desired order (and any stepsmay be added and/or deleted).

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:administering, by a first specifically programmed computer system of acommunications exchange, an electronic delivery of at least one firstelectronic distribution from at least one first sender to at least onefirst recipient, by allowing: i) the at least one first sender to sendthe at least one first electronic distribution to the at least one firstrecipient, and ii) the at least one first recipient to set a pluralityof recipient attributes and a plurality of recipient rules to identify,for the at least one first sender, the communications exchange, or both,at least one of the following: 1) what electronic distributions the atleast one first recipient desires to receive, 2) where the at least onefirst recipient desires to receive electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient, and 3) how the at least one firstrecipient desires to receive the electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient; wherein the mediating, by the firstspecifically programmed computer system of the communications exchange,comprises: receiving, by the first specifically programmed computersystem of a communications exchange, from at least one first source of aplurality of sources, at least one first electronic distribution of theat least one first sender, wherein the at least one first electronicdistribution is addressed to the at least one first recipient; whereinthe at least one first source is a second computer-programmed electronicsystem that the at least one first sender utilizes; wherein thereceiving of the at least one first electronic distribution is inaccordance with at least one first electronic exchange protocol definedbetween the first specifically programmed computer system of thecommunications exchange and the second computer-programmed electronicsystem of the at least one first source; receiving, by the firstspecifically programmed computer system, from the at least one firstsender, a plurality of sender attributes of the at least one firstsender and a plurality of sender rules of the at least one first senderthat define how electronic distributions of the at least one firstsender to be delivered; receiving, by the first specifically programmedcomputer system of the communications exchange, the plurality ofrecipient attributes of the at least one first recipient and theplurality of recipient rules of the at least one first recipient;matching, by the first specifically programmed computer system of thecommunications exchange, the at least one first electronic distributionof at least one first sender to the at least one first recipient;transmitting, by the first specifically programmed computer system ofthe communications exchange, the at least one first electronicdistribution of at least one first sender to at least one first channelassociated with the at least one first recipient; wherein the matchingand transmitting are based at least in part on: i) the plurality ofsender attributes of the at least one first sender, ii) the plurality ofsender rules of the at least one first sender, iii) the plurality ofrecipient attributes of the at least one first recipient, and iv) theplurality of recipient rules of the at least one first recipient;wherein the first channel is a third computer-programmed electronicsystem that the at least one first recipient utilizes to receive theelectronic distributions addressed to the at least one first recipient;wherein the second computer-programmed electronic system of the at leastone first source and the third computer-programmed electronic system ofthe at least one first channel are independent from each other; andwherein the transmitting is in accordance with at least one secondelectronic exchange protocol defined between the first specificallyprogrammed computer system of the communications exchange and the thirdcomputer-programmed electronic system of the at least one channel. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one first electronicexchange protocol is based at least in part on: i) a plurality of sourceattributes of the at least one first source, ii) a plurality of sourcerules of the at least one first source, iii) a plurality of exchangeattributes of the communications exchange, and iv) a plurality ofexchange rules of the communications exchange.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one second electronic exchange protocol is based atleast in part on: i) a plurality of channel attributes of the at leastone first channel, ii) a plurality of channel rules of the at least onefirst channel, iii) a plurality of exchange attributes of thecommunications exchange, and iv) a plurality of exchange rules of thecommunications exchange.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at leastone first channel is selected from the group of: i) secure electronicmessaging system, ii) a website, iii) a device application, and iv) adigital mail system.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least onefirst source is selected from the group of: i) secure electronicmessaging system, ii) a website, iii) a device application, and iv) adigital mail system.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least onefirst recipient is selected from the group of: i) an individual, ii) anretail investor, iii) an institutional investor, and iv) an entity thatis not a person.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofrecipient attributes are selected from the group of: i) a piece ofinformation to be used to verify identity of the at least firstrecipient, wherein the piece of information comprises at least one ofthe following: 1) first, last and middle name, 2) an organization name,3) a physical address, 4) a date of birth, 5) a government identifier,6) a telephone number, and 7) a bio-metrics credential, ii) an emailaddress, and iii) an identity credential.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of recipient rules are selected from the group of:i) at least one legal consent rule regarding obtaining a legal consentto deliver regulatory information, ii) at least one first channel ruleset by sender, iii) at least one second channel rule regarding documenttype, and iv) at least one third channel rule regarding delivery time,wherein the plurality of recipient rules are set to be permanent or tobe followed during or for a pre-determined time period.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one first sender is selected from thegroup of: i) an individual, ii) an individual investor, iii) a financialorganization, and iv) an entity that is not a person.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of sender attributes are selected fromthe group of: i) a piece of information to be used to verify identity ofthe at least first recipient, wherein the piece of information comprisesat least one of the following: 1) first, last and middle name, 2) anorganization name, 3) a physical address, 4) a date of birth, 5) agovernment identifier, 6) a telephone number of the at least one firstrecipient, 7) a telephone number of the organization, and 8) abio-metrics credential, ii) identifying information of the at least onefirst sender to be displayed by the at least one first channel to the atleast one recipient, iii) at least one first sender identifier that isutilized to identify the at least one first sender to at least one of:the first specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, the at least one first source, the plural of the sources, theat least one first channel, the plurality of channels, and the at leastone first recipient.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofsender rules are selected from the group of: i) at least one firstsender rule identifying at least one channel supported by the at leastone sender, ii) at least one second sender rule identifying at least onecharacteristic to be used to identify the at least one channel supportedby the at least one sender, iii) at least one fourth sender ruleidentifying a legal consent language to be accepted by to the at leastone first recipient, iv) at least one fourth sender rule identifying howidentity of the at least one first recipient to be verified, and v) atleast one fourth sender rule identifying how the plurality of recipientattributes of the at least one first recipient to be validated.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one first electronicdistribution of the at least one first sender is selected from the groupof: i) at least one advertising, ii) at least one catalogue, iii) atleast one financial record statement, iv) at least one tradeconfirmation, v) at least one regulatory communication, vi) a publiccompany's proxy, voting instruction form, or both, vii) a mutual fund'sproxy, voting instruction form, or both, viii) at least one initialpublic offering prospectus, ix) at least one mutual fund prospectus, x)at least one legal notice, xi) at least one corporate notice, xii) atleast one government non-regulatory communication, xiii) at least onecertificate, xiv) at least one trading instruction, xv) at least onecheck, xvi) at least one data element, xvii) at least one image, xviii)at least one video, xix) at least one audio recording, xx) at least oneinteractive application, xxi) at least one letter or notice, xxii) atleast one standardized formatted message, xxiii) at least onenon-standard formatted message whose formatted has been mutually agreedupon the at least one first sender and the at least one firstrecipient); and xxiv) at least one link to at least one of: the at leastone electronic document, the at least one data element, the at least oneimage, the at least one video, the at least one audio recording, and theat least one interactive application.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinthe method further comprises at least one of the following: i) sharing,by the first specifically programmed computer system of a communicationsexchange, the plurality of recipient attributes and the plurality of therecipients rules with the at least one first sender, at least one othersender of the plurality of senders, or the plurality of senders, ii)applying, by the first specifically programmed computer system of acommunications exchange, the plurality of recipient attributes and theplurality of the recipients rules to deliver the at least one firstelectronic distribution received from the at least one first sender,without prior sharing the plurality of recipient attributes and theplurality of the recipients rules with the at least one first sender andthe at least one first source, and iii) applying, by the firstspecifically programmed computer system of a communications exchange,the plurality of recipient attributes and the plurality of therecipients rules to deliver the at least one first electronicdistribution received from the at least one first sender.
 14. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first specifically programmed computer system ofthe communications exchange receives the plurality of recipientattributes and the plurality of recipient rules from at least one of thefollowing: i) the at least one first sender, at least one other senderof the plurality of senders, or the plurality of senders, and ii) the atleast one first channel, at least one other channel of the plurality ofchannels, or the plurality of channels.
 15. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of sender attributes and the plurality of senderrules are set by at least one of the following: i) the at least onefirst sender, and ii) the at least one first source, at least one othersource of the plurality of sources, or the plurality of sources.
 16. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: notifying, bythe first specifically programmed computer system of the communicationsexchange, the at least one first sender that the delivery of the atleast one first electronic distribution has failed.
 17. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the method further comprises: identifying, by the firstspecifically programmed computer system of the communications exchange,at least one relationship between the at least one first recipient andthe at least one first sender, the plurality of senders, or both, basedat least in part on the plurality of recipient attributes set by the atleast one first recipient.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein theidentifying the at least one relationship is further based on historicalinformation about at least one of: i) the at least one first recipient,ii) the at least one first sender, and iii) the plurality of senders.19. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:converting, by the first specifically programmed computer system of thecommunications exchange, the at least one first electronic distributionfrom a first format of the at least one first source to a second formatof the at least one first channel.
 20. The method of claim 1, whereinthe method further comprises: generating, by the first specificallyprogrammed computer system of the communications exchange, for the atleast one first sender, at lest one first report, identifying at leastone of the following: i) delivery information about successful delivery,failed delivery, or both, ii) viewing information regarding whether hasbeen viewed or not, and iii) usage information regarding a utilizationof the at least one first electronic distribution within the at leastone first channel, the plurality f channels, or both.
 21. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the method further comprises: generating, by the firstspecifically programmed computer system of the communications exchange,at least one usage report for at least one of: i) the at least one firstsource, ii) the at least one first sender, iii) the at least one firstrecipient, and iv) the at least one first channel.
 22. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of channel rules comprises at least twoof the following: i) at least one first channel rule identifying atleast one source supported by the at least one first channel, ii) atleast one second channel rule identifying at least one sender supportedby the at least one first channel, iii) at least one third channel ruleidentifying at least one distribution type supported by the at least onefirst channel, iv) at least one fourth channel rule identifying at leastone distribution format supported by the at least one first channel, v)at least one fifth channel rule identifying at least one unassociatedattribute supported by the at least one first channel, and vi) at leastone sixth channel rule identifying at least one unassociated rulesupported by the at least one first channel.
 23. A specificallyprogrammed communications exchange, comprising: at least one firstspecialized computer machine, comprising: a non-transient memory havingat least one region for storing particular computer executable programcode; and at least one processor for executing the particular programcode stored in the memory, wherein the particular program code isconfigured so that the at least one first specialize computer machine isconfigured to at least perform the following operations: administeringan electronic delivery of at least one first electronic distributionfrom at least one first sender to at least one first recipient, byallowing: i) the at least one first sender to send the at least onefirst electronic distribution to the at least one first recipientwithout knowing an electronic address associated with the at least onefirst recipient, and ii) the at least one first recipient to set aplurality of recipient attributes and a plurality of recipient rules toidentify, for the at least one first sender, the communicationsexchange, or both, at least one of the following: 1) what electronicdistributions the at least one first recipient desires to receive, 2)where the at least one first recipient desires to receive electronicdistributions addressed to the at least one first recipient, and 3) howthe at least one first recipient desires to receive the electronicdistributions addressed to the at least one first recipient; wherein themediating comprises: receiving, from at least one first source of aplurality of sources, at least one first electronic distribution of theat least one first sender, wherein the at least one first electronicdistribution is addressed to the at least one first recipient; whereinthe at least one first source is a second computer-programmed electronicsystem that the at least one first sender utilizes; wherein thereceiving of the at least one first electronic distribution is inaccordance with at least one first electronic exchange protocol definedbetween the communications exchange and the second computer-programmedelectronic system of the at least one first source; receiving, from theat least one first sender, a plurality of sender attributes of the atleast one first sender and a plurality of sender rules of the at leastone first sender that define how electronic distributions of the atleast one first sender to be delivered; receiving, the plurality ofrecipient attributes of the at least one first recipient and theplurality of recipient rules of the at least one first recipient;matching the at least one first electronic distribution of at least onefirst sender to the at least one first recipient; transmitting the atleast one first electronic distribution of at least one first sender toat least one first channel associated with the at least one firstrecipient; wherein the matching and transmitting are based at least inpart on: i) the plurality of sender attributes of the at least one firstsender, ii) the plurality of sender rules of the at least one firstsender, iii) the plurality of recipient attributes of the at least onefirst recipient, and iv) the plurality of recipient rules of the atleast one first recipient; wherein the first channel is a thirdcomputer-programmed electronic system that the at least one firstrecipient utilizes to receive the electronic distributions addressed tothe at least one first recipient; wherein the second computer-programmedelectronic system of the at least one first source and the thirdcomputer-programmed electronic system of the at least one first channelare independent from each other; and wherein the transmitting is inaccordance with at least one second electronic exchange protocol definedbetween the first specifically programmed computer system of thecommunications exchange and the third computer-programmed electronicsystem of the at least one channel.